welfare state

noun

1. a state in which the welfare of the people in such matters as social security, health and education, housing, and working conditions is the responsibility of the government.

welfare state

noun

1. a system in which the government undertakes the chief responsibility for providing for the social and economic security of its population, usually through unemployment insurance, old-age pensions, and other social-security measures
2. a social system characterized by such policies

welfare state

¹

1. A state or government that promotes public welfare through programs of public health, pensions , unemployment compensation , public housing, and the like. The expression welfare state is often used by those hostile to government intervention in these areas.

welfare state

²

1. An economic system that combines features of capitalism and socialism by retaining private ownership while the government enacts broad programs of social welfare, such as pensions and public housing.

Word History and Origins

Origin of welfare state¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

Fossil fuels helped to catapult Norway from a stable but small fishing and timber economy into one of the wealthiest and most progressive welfare states in the world.

From Time

Paradoxically, the country’s ability to provide climate stewardship and leadership on the global stage was built on the back of fossil fuels—as was its generous welfare state.

From Time

More and more tech workers wish to relocate to Germany, with the welfare state providing a model for the future.

From TechCrunch

Economist Thomas Piketty recognizes the dangers of rising nationalism and inequality, but hopes we learn “to invest more in the welfare state.”

From No Straight News

It is true for example, that the welfare states are both more generous in ethnically homogenous places, and it’s almost assuredly true that they’re also more functional.

From Freakonomics

Ryan insinuated that the Democratic Party is selling the American people a welfare state.

From The Daily Beast

While the Israeli welfare state goes to pieces, benefits and government subsidies to settlements are skyrocketing.

From The Daily Beast

Hard as they tried, George H.W. Bush and Bob Dole could never muster much rage against the welfare state.

From The Daily Beast

Given these numbers, Republicans might cheer the collapse of the social-democratic welfare state.

From The Daily Beast

They did not consider the welfare state a threat to individual freedom.

From The Daily Beast

Policymakers explain developments by causes such as globalisation, technology and welfare state sclerosis.

From Project Gutenberg

It's time to replace the assumptions of the welfare state and help reform the welfare system.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• social democracy